Andrzej Wrobel

Jagiellonian University | UJ · Institute of Physics

Objectives: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous membrane vesicles in diameter of 30-5000 nm, that transport proteins, non-coding RNAs (miRNAs), lipids and metabolites. Major populations include exosomes, ectosomes and apoptotic bodies. The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of EVs obtained under different conditions of...

During desiccation the Polypedilum vanderplanki larva loses 97% of its body water, resulting in the shutdown of all metabolic and physiological processes. The larvae are able to resume active life when rehydrated. As dehydration process has already been largely understood, rehydration mechanisms are still poorly recognized. X-ray microtomograms and...

In this study, we verified the hypothesis that Raman signature of urinary extracellular vesicles (UEVs) can be used to stratify patients with diabetes at various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with type 2 diabetes diagnosed with different stages of CKD and healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. UEVs were isolated using low-v...

Background Melanoma cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) subpopulations which differ in size, phenotype and molecular content. Melanoma derived EVs play a role in the development and progression of cancer by delivering surface receptors and bioactive (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) or signaling molecules to target cells. Methods We applied...

The simplicity of object shape and composition modification make additive manufacturing a great option for customized dosage form production. To achieve this goal, the correlation between structural and functional attributes of the printed objects needs to be analyzed. So far, it has not been deeply investigated in 3D printing-related papers. The a...

This study aimed to determine the number of mental foramina (MFs) in vervet monkeys of the Cercopithecini tribe and perform a µCT analysis of mental foramina and mandibular canal morphology. A total of 19 simian skulls belonging to Chlorocebus aethiops species were used in the analyses. An average of three mental foramina was present in most indivi...

This study aimed to determine the number of infraorbital foramina in monkeys of the Papionini tribe. The authors performed a μCT analysis of the morphology of the infraorbital foramina. A total number of 52 simian skulls belonged to two macaque species: Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis were used in the study. The number of infraorbital forami...

Purpose/Aim of the study: The role of estrogen (E) in the regulation of bone turnover in women is well established, though the contributions of E versus testosterone (T) in the control of bone turnover in men are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the association between chronic treatment with letrozole, a nonsteroidal inhibito...

The article describes the preparation and characterization of 3D-printed tablets with bicalutamide obtained using two-material co-extrusion-based fused deposition modeling (FDM). This method is a modification of typical two-material FDM where separate nozzles are used to print from two filaments. In this work we used a ZMorph® 3D printer with DualP...

Despite recent developments in the field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolation methods, the process remains challenging, mainly due to the low isolation yield, co-precipitation of proteins, changes in biophysical properties of EVs and time consuming procedures. Answering these problems, we created and validated new EVs isolation method – Low Va...

Since direct measurement of bone mechanical parameters is not clinically possible, many quantities have been applied to estimate the mechanical properties of the bone (MPB). The aim of this study was to develop a new parameter describing MPB with greater precision than areal bone density (aBMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In...

Development of new composite materials for bone tissue engineering is a constantly growing field of medicine. Therefore there is a continuous need in creating novel materials that can not only regenerate the defected tissue but also nourish it while the healing process progresses. Here we present a novel type of composite material that fulfils thes...

A tumor vasculature network undergoes intense growth and rebuilding during tumor growth. Traditionally, vascular networks are histologically examined using parameters such as vessel density determined from two-dimensional slices of the tumor. Two-dimensional probing of a complicated three-dimensional (3D) structure only provides partial information...

The aim of our study is to obtain, as accurately as possible, porcine ocular tissue visualization using microtomography (micro-CT) method. We propose image contrast enhancement by different staining procedures with combination of micro-CT scanning. Porcine eye globes were investigated with Bruker-SkyScan 1172 micro-CT. We used 4F1G and Bouin's as s...

Purpose The Bomirski Hamster Melanoma (BHM) cell line has been successfully used as an eye tumor animal model in the studies on tumor vascular network, metastasis and radiation treatment. Visualization and modeling of neoangiogenesis is crucial for further ocular tumor research. This work presents visualization and image analysis of BHM eyeballs us...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the root canal morphology of maxillary third molars (MTMs) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and methods: Seventy-eight consecutively-extracted human MTMs were scanned using micro-CT (spatial resolution=13.68μm per pixel). Dedicated software (SkyScan(®)) was used to create vi...

Different types of ground hot-melt extrudates loaded with 10, 20 or 30 % of the poorly water-soluble drug tadalafil were prepared and characterized in vitro and in vivo (in rats). Soluplus was used as an amorphous carrier material, whereas mannitol and lactitol were studied as crystalline matrix formers. The systems were characterized using X-ray p...

The aim of our study was the detailed characterization of calcium deposits in ligamenta flava. The use of microcomputed tomography allowed extending the routine medical investigations to characterize mineral grains in the microscopic scale. A possible connection between spinal stenosis and ligament mineralization was investigated. The studies were...

In this paper, both a structured catalyst based on FeCrAl (Kanthal) foam with in situ synthesized CuSSZ-13 and powder CuSSZ-13 were prepared and tested in NH3-SCR. The kinetic data derived at diffusion-free parameters window were combined with mass transport and pressure drop correlations (experiments from our previous work [1]) for three typical r...

X-ray based computed microtomography is a non-destructive, well established tool for a three-dimensional characterization of open-cell metallic foams. Macroscopic physical and chemical properties of these materials stay in close relation to their micro-structure parameters. The purpose of the paper is to present two types of thresholding methods so...

Enamel hypoplasia is examined in past and present populations to evaluate the relative adaptive success in the groups that differ in social, geographical, ecological or temporal conditions. This research demonstrates the use of micro-CT scanning of the teeth surface for recognizing and evaluating severity of the enamel hypoplasia. To test capabilit...

In this paper, the structured catalyst based on kanthal foam with in situ synthesised SSZ-13 is prepared and characterized. The powder SSZ-13 exchanged with Cu was tested in NH3-SCR. The kinetic data derived at diffusion free parameters window were combined with mass transport and pressure drop correlations found for kanthal foam. It was a basis fo...

This article demonstrates the use of micro-CT scanning of the teeth surface for recognizing and evaluating severity of the enamel hypoplasia. To test capabilities of the microtomography versus classical method of evaluation hypoplastic defects of the enamel we selected two human teeth (C, M2) showing different types of enamel hypoplasia: linear, pi...

This article highlights the utility of micro-computed tomography (CT) for characterising microscale bone morphology. For this purpose we tested selected samples of the human bones (Wormian bone, rib, lumbar vertebra) to reconstruct external and internal morphological features. Selected bony samples were investigated using a micro-CT scanner (Skysca...

The study aim was to develop an in-vitro model of human aortic valve homograft (AVH) mineralization, as a basis for further research on the subject of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Human aortic valves were excised during autopsy (12-24 h post-mortem) from donors who had died due to accident or suicide. The mean (±SD) donor age was 32.5 ± 11...

The objective of the study was to introduce a new parameter describing bone strength with greater precision than the widely used antero-posterior DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), which measures areal bone mineral density (aBMD). The adjusted areal bone mineral density (AaBMD) defined as the ratio between aBMD and h a/h p (h a and h p: anteri...

Hereby we present 3D reconstructions of the mastoid cells, labyrinth and neuro-vascular canals of the temporal bone presented as the volume rendering images converted by the selected transfer functions. As a result, the transfer function remapped the way of displaying pixels in such a way that anatomical details were better represented in the image...

A major feature of aortic stenosis is massive mineralization of the aortic valve, though the mechanism of the process remains unclear. The study aim was to characterize the chemical composition and morphology of inorganic deposits from surgically excised natural aortic valves and to seek similarities to minerals in bones and teeth. Mineral deposits...

The paper presents anatomical considerations on the abnormal ossification, which occurred around the dorsum of the sella turcica in the human skull of the female individual. Probably the morphological alterations of the sellar region were associated with extensive heterotopic ossification of the dura mater attached to the dorsum of the sella turcic...

The current study shows in a close-up view anatomical relationship between the subarcuate canal and the osseous labyrinth. For this purpose we used micro-computed tomography which allowed performing three-dimensional reconstruction of the subarcuate canal and gave adequate data for estimation its diameter across its course. The diameter of the midd...

Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an important determinant of bone strength (BS), despite the fact that the correlation between aBMD and BS is relatively weak. Parameters that describe BS more accurately are desired. The aim of this study was to determine whether the geometrical corrections appl...

Calcification of the spinal ligaments is uncommonly described pathology. The exact mechanism of the formation of inorganic deposits in ligamentum flavum (LF) is unclear. LF is located within the vertebral foramen and attaches the lamina of adjacent vertebra. The aim of our studies was to characterize the chemical composition and morphology of inorg...

The three-dimensional reconstruction was performed to visualize the cochlea, the semicircular canals and adjacent structures embedded in the petrous bone. The final product of this study were digital models of the osseous structures of the inner ear which can be viewed at different angles on the computer screen. Five dry human temporal bones were i...

We demonstrate layer-by-layer x-ray microimaging using polycapillary optics. The depth resolution is achieved without sample or source rotation and in a way similar to classical tomography or laminography. The method takes advantage from large angular apertures of polycapillary optics and from their specific microstructure, which is treated as a co...

The study was aimed at the development of parameters that could be used as predictors of vertebral strength. Proposed parameters describing vertebral geometry and/or shape can be established on the basis of routine spine roentgenograms, making roentgenography a novel tool for vertebral fracture risk assessment in the future. 20 human cadaveric L3 v...

The adult human temporal bone was investigated using micro-computed tomography scans. The effects of the volume rendering used to create three-dimensional reconstructions were presented in images showing components of the osseous labyrinth. The three-dimensional reconstructions were performed to visualise the cochlea and the semicircular canals emb...

Two issues related to nephrolithiasis are explored: (1) does the chemical composition and morphology of renal calculi in South Poland overlap with the studies from other countries? and (2) are there possibilities to evaluate in vivo chemical composition of stones using computed tomography? The study was conducted on 108 renal stones. X-ray fluoresc...

Wormian bones are irregular ossicles of small size and reveal fractal pattern of their edges. Their anatomy was visualized in volumetric reconstructions obtained from a series of micro-CT scans. In visual evaluation Wormian bones showed typical anatomy for the calvarial bones. They revealed three-layer composition: the outer and the inner table of...

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, clinical features and distribution of lumbosacral ossifications of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), using MRI, CT and microCT, in hospitalized Polish patients. Methods: Patients were recruited prospectively between January 2011 and January 2013. Patients were further qualified to the study gro...

A method of quantitative analysis of bone samples by simultaneous measurements of proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and Rutherford backscattered (RBS) spectra is described. The method is used for the evaluation of the data collected during proton microprobe irradiation. The RBS spectra are used for the determination of the sample thickness. The...

Renal calculi samples were investigated with synchrotron radiation based microtomography on the resolution level of few microns. XRF and XRD were used in order to investigate samples composition. The histograms of the 3D stone images were analyzed by fitting set of Gaussian functions. The assumption that every stone compound gives additional maximu...

Introduction. The usefulness of a three-dimensional microtomographic image histogram analysis in renal calculi composition studies was investigated. The results were compared to the X-ray crystallography (XRD) method. Materials and methods. Renal calculi samples were studied in vitro with synchrotron radiation-based microtomography. Histograms of t...

Many theories describe the lithogenesis within urinary tract. In addition, trace amounts of some heavy metals have been found in urinary calculi. However, their role in lithogenesis is still debated. Trace and heavy metals may be involved in induction of crystallization, depending on the relationships between metals and solutes able to crystallize...

The aim of this work was to examine the effect of Ga and Sr ions on the aortic valve homograft (AVH) mineralization using an in vitro model. To assess mineralization quantitatively, the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence method was applied for determination. Aortic valve cusp mineralization was estimated based on the Ca/P ratio. We assumed that t...

The studies were focused on the influence of the fresh-wet storage procedure on aortic valve homograft (AVH) mineralization. Thirty-four aortic valves excised at autopsy were investigated. The cusps were divided into halves, the first one was used as a control while the second half was stored in Morgan, Morton, and Parker's Medium 199 supplemented...

The aim of the present study was to determine an influence of low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) with characteristics used in clinical practice (frequency: 15 Hz, 40 Hz, 70 Hz; intensity: 1 mT) on elemental composition of bone and soft tissue (muscle). Electromagnetic field-induced changes were investigated by measuring elemental concentrations of...

The chemical characteristics of the surface sediment (0–5cm) in a lake which formed in an opencast sulphur mine have been analysed. Generally, the concentration of major elements (N, P, S, Ca, K, Mg, Cl, Fe, Si, and Al) and trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ti, Y, and Zn) in the lake sediment reflected t...

There is a type of renal calculi which are build mostly of uric acid. It is currently known that these calculi occur in 13 % of nephrolithiasis cases (1,2). The macroscopic structure and the average elemental composition of the uric acid stones have been well established (1-3). Results collected so far showed particularly wide variability of the Ca...

The studies were designed to ascertain composition and structure of the uric acid calculi at the microscopic level. The samples consisted of 100 μm thick sections of the stones. The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) was used to determine the average elemental composition while the X-ray diffraction (XRD) served to establish crystalline...

These studies were focused on the relation between the orientation of crystallites, calcium concentrations and the stress distributions within human vertebral bodies. The elemental composition was measured using the proton induced X-ray emission method in combination with a proton microprobe (micro-PIXE) while the orientation of the hydroxyapatite...

Mineralization of the homograft aortic valve cusps is a complex process leading to their degeneration and decreasing durability. Factors that play a decisive role in regulation of mineralization, growth of hydroxyapatite crystals are still open questions. We studied development of mineralization in the homograft aortic valves prepared for transplan...

The present studies were designed to determine the effect of gallium on the aortic valve cusp mineralization. The studies were conducted on aortic valves collected at autopsy from 35 donors. Each sample was incubated for 21 days in the mineralization-promoting medium, containing Ga at concentrations ranging from 0.0 to 8.0 μg/ml. The elemental comp...

The aim of these studies was to develop a procedure for the determination of elemental concentrations in aortic valve cusps based on XRF measurements and to evaluate whether the XRF method may be useful in mineralization studies. The investigations were conducted on aortic valves collected at autopsy from 12 donors. Concentrations of 14 elements (M...

The effect of gallium on the mineralization process, which occurs in bone marrow cell culture, was examined. The development of the mineralization was measured on the basis of the calcium content. The energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence was used to assess quantitatively the elemental composition of the inorganic deposits. The kinetics of the inorg...

Calcification of the aortic valve cusps due to degenerative changes is the most common lesion encountered in patients who require aortic valve replacement. The primary pathogenic mechanisms responsible for calcific degeneration of the aortic valves still remain unclear. Moreover, there are no convenient methods for the assessment of aortic valve su...

This study was undertaken to assess the influence of traffic on particulate air pollution in an urban area, and to characterise the short-range transport of the aerosols generated by traffic. The study was conducted in Kraków, a city located in southern Poland with a population of approximately 800,000. Aerosol samples were collected using automati...

PIXE was used to extract the traffic component from the air pollution in Kraków. Aerosol samples were collected using automatic sampling equipment at five stations located at different distances from one of the main roads in Kraków. The elemental composition of aerosol samples was determined by the PIXE method. The results obtained indicate that th...

A description of the PIXE setup installed at a 3 MV Van de Graaff accelerator is presented. The target chamber was designed to cater for NRA, PIXE and RBS methods. Two Si(Li) X-ray detectors, a HPG γ-ray detector and a charge particle detector may be simultaneously installed in the chamber. The 34-position sample holder is moved by a stepper motor....

The Ca-Sr substitution in bone is investigated using the animal model. Experimental and control groups are compared with respect to elemental composition, both determine at organ and cell levels and structure of the minerals. It is found that the applied doses of strontium (maximum 438 mg Sr/kg body weight) do not disturb the course of remodelling...

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Poster